Alabama Roots: NFL Draft picks sign for $198 million

Published Jul. 22, 2023, 5:30 a.m.
By Mark Inabinett |
Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers reached an agreement on his first NFL contract on Friday, the team announced, wrapping up the 2023 draft class for players with Alabama football roots.
The other 23 draft picks who played for Alabama high schools and colleges already had signed their first contracts by the time the No. 1 pick and the Panthers got the details hammered out on his deal.
Each player picked in the NFL Draft receives a four-year contract, and the range in the total value of those deals for the Alabama-roots players in the 2023 draft stretches from around $37.955 million to about $3.918 million. The approximate value of the 24 contracts is $198.362 million.
The values of the contracts are based on the NFL’s salary cap of $224.8 million for the 2023 season and this year’s rookie compensation pool in a formula spelled out in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players association. While the values of rookie contracts aren’t negotiable, other factors are, including the amount of guaranteed money.
The agreement to cap the salaries of draft choices started in 2011.
As the first selection, Young got the most lucrative contract in this year’s draft. At $37.955 million over four years, the former Crimson Tide All-American is signing the biggest contract for a rookie from an Alabama high school or college since linebacker Rolando McClain (Decatur, Alabama) got a five-year, $40 million deal from the Oakland Raiders in 2010. Young’s deal has the highest annual value for a rookie with Alabama football roots since quarterback JaMarcus Russell (Williamson) signed a six-year, $61 million contract with the Raiders in 2007.
A rundown on what the drafted players who played at Alabama high schools and colleges signed for this year, with values from the sports financial web site spotrac.com:
Bryce Young, quarterback, Alabama
First round, Carolina Panthers: Four years for $37.955 million, including a $24.604 million signing bonus. The contract is fully guaranteed and carries a team option for a fifth season.
Will Anderson Jr., linebacker, Alabama
First round, Houston Texans: Four years for $35.213 million, including a $22.609 million signing bonus. The contract is fully guaranteed and carries a team option for a fifth season.
Jahmyr Gibbs, running back, Alabama
First round, Detroit Lions: Four years for $17.845 million, including a $9.978 million signing bonus. The contract is fully guaranteed and carries a team option for a fifth season.
Derick Hall, linebacker, Auburn
Second round, Seattle Seahawks: Four years for $9.116 million, including a $3.63 million signing bonus and $7.223 million in guaranteed money.
Brian Branch, safety, Alabama
Second round, Detroit Lions: Four years for $8.022 million, including a $2.834 million signing bonus and $6.178 million in guaranteed money.
Tyler Steen, offensive tackle, Alabama
Third round, Philadelphia Eagles: Four years for $5.75 million, including a $1.182 million signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Drew Sanders, linebacker, Alabama
Third round, Denver Broncos: Four years for $5.735 million, including a $1.171 million signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Tank Dell, wide receiver, Alabama A&M
Third round, Houston Texans: Four years for $5.719 million, including a $1.159 million signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Byron Young, defensive tackle, Alabama
Third round, Las Vegas Raiders: Four years for $5.669 million, including a $1.123 million signing bonus and $2.13 million in guaranteed money.
Tank Bigsby, running back, Auburn
Third round, Jacksonville Jaguars: Four years for $5.393 million, including a $922,120 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Jordan Battle, safety, Alabama
Third round, Cincinnati Bengals: Four years for $5.325 million, including an $872,740 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Brodric Martin, defensive tackle, Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa, North Alabama
Third round, Detroit Lions: Four years for $5.304 million, including a $857,520 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Cameron Latu, tight end, Alabama
Third round, San Francisco 49ers: Four years for $5.304 million, including a $857,520 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Jakorian Bennett, cornerback, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile
Fourth round, Las Vegas Raiders: Four years for $4.664 million, including an $823,600 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Jake Andrews, center, Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook, Troy
Fourth round, New England Patriots: Four years for $4.648 million, including an $808,340 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Colby Wooden, defensive end, Auburn
Fourth round, Green Bay Packers: Four years for $4.608 million, including a $767,930 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Darrell Luter Jr., cornerback, South Alabama
Fifth round, San Francisco 49ers: Four years for $4.154 million, including a $313,510 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Henry To’oTo’o, linebacker, Alabama
Fifth round, Houston Texans: Four years for $4.085 million, including a $244,980 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Owen Pappoe, linebacker, Auburn
Fifth round, Arizona Cardinals: Four years for $4.085 million, including a $244,980 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Anders Carlson, kicker, Auburn
Sixth round, Green Bay Packers: Four years for $3.997 million, including a $156,780 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Travis Bell, defensive tackle, Jeff Davis High School in Montgomery
Seventh round, Chicago Bears: Four years for $3.957 million, including a $117,140 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
DeWayne McBride, running back, UAB
Seventh round, Minnesota Vikings: Four years for $3.95 million, including a $110,400 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
DeMarcco Hellams, safety, Alabama
Seventh round, Atlanta Falcons: Four years for $3.946 million, including a $106,300 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.
Grant DuBose, wide receiver, Park Crossing High School in Montgomery
Seventh round, Green Bay Packers: Four years for $3.918 million, including a $77,780 signing bonus. The signing bonus is the guaranteed portion of the contract.